JP2002267284A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly eliminate a state in which a load is concentrated to one of either the refrigeration compartment or the freezing compartment. SOLUTION: A control circuit executes overload decision control of the refrigeration component and the freezing compartment every minute. It is decided that the freezing compartment is in an overloaded state, when the F sensor temperature is higher than -10 deg.C ('YES' at S1), and the on ON temperature of the refrigeration compartment is altered in steps of +0.1 deg.C (S3). It is decided that the refrigeration compartment is in overload state when the R sensor temperature is higher than 12 deg.C ('YES' at S6), and ON temperature of the freezing compartment is altered at a pitch of +0.1 deg.C (S8). Upon finishing the overload decision control, the control circuit executes normal operations, based on the altered ON temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a configuration in which a refrigerator and a freezer are individually cooled by a refrigerator and a refrigerator.

[0002]

In this type of refrigerator, each room is alternately cooled by alternately supplying a refrigerant to a refrigerator cooler and a freezer cooler, and a compressor and a cool air circulating fan are provided. By controlling the rotation speed and the like, the room temperature of each room is maintained in the target temperature zone.

Specifically, when target temperature zones are set for each of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, the upper limit value and the lower limit value of each target temperature zone are set as an ON temperature and an OFF temperature, respectively. Then, based on the room temperature of each room, the refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerator cooler (R cooling mode).
And the state (F cooling mode) supplied to the freezer compartment cooler. The switching of the cooling mode is basically performed when the OFF temperature of the own room is detected during the operation of each cooling mode. Further, even if the OFF temperature of the own room is not detected even when the operation time of each cooling mode has passed the predetermined cooling time, the cooling mode is switched when the ON temperature of the other room is detected. By such alternate cooling, the room temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment change up and down between the ON temperature and the OFF temperature, respectively, and the average temperature is maintained at the target temperature which is the center value of the target temperature zone.

In some cases, the frequency of use of one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment becomes extremely high due to frequent loading and unloading of food. In such a case, if the temperature of one room greatly exceeds the upper limit value (ON temperature) of the target temperature zone, the cooling mode is switched before the room of the one room cannot be sufficiently cooled. For this reason, there has been a problem that one of the cooling units is insufficient, and the average room temperature becomes a high temperature outside the target temperature zone for a while.

[0005] On the other hand, since the cooling mode operates as usual with respect to the other, the other room temperature changes up and down between the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the target temperature zone. For this reason, in particular, in a refrigerator having a function of displaying the inside temperature, one room average temperature shows an abnormally high value even though the other room average temperature shows around the target temperature. However, there is a risk of giving the user distrust.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of quickly resolving a state where a load is concentrated in one of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. To provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator for cooling a refrigerator; a refrigerator for cooling a refrigerator; and a refrigerator for detecting a temperature of the refrigerator. A room temperature sensor, a freezing room temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the freezing room, and a first refrigerant flow path that mainly supplies the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and liquefied by the condenser to the refrigerator cooler, Flow path switching means for switching between a second refrigerant flow path mainly supplied to the refrigerating cooler, a refrigeration ON temperature set higher than a target temperature of the refrigerator, and a temperature higher than the target temperature of the freezer. A predetermined freezing-on temperature, and after a predetermined refrigeration cooling time has elapsed since the refrigerator-room temperature sensor has detected the refrigerator-on temperature, when the freezing-room temperature sensor has detected the freezing-on temperature. The flow path switching means The operation is controlled to switch from the first refrigerant flow path to the second refrigerant flow path, and after a predetermined freezing / cooling time has elapsed since the freezing room temperature sensor detected the freezing-on temperature, the temperature of the refrigerator room was changed. Control means for controlling the operation of the flow path switching means when the sensor detects the refrigeration ON temperature to switch from the second refrigerant flow path to the first refrigerant flow path; Overload determination means for determining whether or not the refrigerator is in a state, wherein the control means determines that one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is in an overload state by the overload determination means. Is characterized in that the on temperature of the other is changed to be higher.

According to the above configuration, when one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment becomes overloaded due to an extremely high use frequency or the like, the ON temperature of the other is changed to a high value. Then, when the temperature sensor on the other side detects the changed ON temperature higher than the previous ON temperature, the refrigerant is supplied to the other side cooler from the refrigerant flow path for supplying the refrigerant to the one side cooler. Switching to the refrigerant flow path. Therefore, the period for cooling the one side in the overload state becomes longer than before, and accordingly, the room temperature on the one side is rapidly reduced to approach the target temperature.

In this case, the control means sets the ON temperature to 1
It is preferable to change at a rate of change of K / min or less (the invention of claim 2). The ON temperature of each chamber is used, for example, for estimating a load from a difference from a temperature detected by a temperature sensor and controlling the number of revolutions of the compressor based on the estimated load. Therefore, if the ON temperature is rapidly increased, the difference between the ON temperature and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is sharply reduced, so that the compressor is decelerated more than necessary. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the rate of change of the ON temperature is set to 1 K / min or less, so that the compressor is not decelerated more than necessary.

In the refrigerator according to a third aspect of the present invention, when the overload determining means determines that one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is in the overload state, the control means controls the other. This is characterized in that the cooling time is shortened. According to the above configuration, when one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is overloaded, the cooling time of the other is reduced. Then, when the cooling time shorter than the previous cooling time on the other side has elapsed, the refrigerant flow path for supplying the refrigerant to the other side cooler is changed to the refrigerant flow path for supplying the refrigerant to the one side cooler. Switch. Accordingly, the period for cooling the other side is shorter than before, and accordingly, the period for cooling one side is longer than before. For this reason, the room temperature on one side is quickly lowered to approach the target temperature.

In the refrigerator according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the overload judging means is set to an overload state when the temperature detected by the refrigerator temperature sensor or the freezer temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined judgment value. The feature is that it is configured to determine that there is. According to the above configuration, it is possible to quickly determine that one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment has been overloaded.

Further, in the refrigerator according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the overload judging means judges that the refrigerator is in an overload state when an average value detected by the refrigerator temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined judgment value. It is characterized by having such a configuration.

According to the above configuration, when the temperature of one of the refrigerating room and the freezing room temporarily detects a high temperature when the room temperature of the refrigerating room and the freezing room temporarily rises, the temperature becomes too high. It is possible to prevent erroneous determination that the vehicle is in the load state as much as possible.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a refrigerator according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, a heat insulating partition wall 2 is integrally formed at an intermediate portion inside a refrigerator main body 1 formed of a heat insulating box. Different temperature spaces are set up and down inside the refrigerator main body 1 by the heat insulating partition wall 2.

A refrigerator compartment 3 and a vegetable compartment 4 are formed vertically in the upper space of the heat insulating partition wall 2 in the refrigerator main body 1. In the lower space of the heat insulating partition wall 2, an ice making chamber (not shown) and a specification switching chamber 5 are formed side by side, and a freezing chamber 6 is formed below the ice making chamber and the specification switching chamber 5. Have been. The front surfaces of these chambers 3 to 6 are opened and closed by doors 7 to 10. The refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 are separated by a partition plate 11. The partition plate 11 has a communication port 12 for communicating the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4. Although the ice making room and the freezing room 6 communicate with each other, the specification switching room 5 is separated from the ice making room and the freezing room 6 by a heat insulating wall 13 and is formed as an independent space.

At the back of the vegetable compartment 4, there is a refrigerator compartment 1 for refrigeration.
4 are formed. A refrigeration cooler 15 is provided in a lower portion of the refrigeration cooler room 14, and a variable-speed refrigeration circulation fan 16 by an inverter is provided in an upper portion. In addition, a suction port 17 is formed in the front surface of the lower part of the refrigerator cooler room 14. Further, a cool air duct 18 is provided in a portion extending from the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 3 to the ceiling surface. The cool air duct 18 has a plurality of outlets 18a.

On the other hand, a freezer cooler room 19 is formed in the refrigerator main body 1 at the back of the freezer room 6. A refrigeration cooler 20 is provided in a lower portion of the refrigeration cooler room 19, and a variable-speed refrigeration circulation fan 21 by an inverter is provided in an upper portion. In addition, a suction port 22 is formed in the lower part of the front surface of the freezing cooler room 19.
Note that a machine room 23 is formed at a lower portion of the refrigerator main body 1. A compressor 24 is provided in the machine room 23.

The specification switching chamber 5 is configured to be controlled to a set temperature by receiving a supply of cool air in response to opening and closing of an electric damper (not shown). In this case, the set temperature can be switched according to the use desired by the user. As a specification application, for example, a freezer 6
(About -18 ° C), partial room (about -3 ° C), chilled room (about 0 ° C), refrigerator room (about 1 ° C), vegetable room (about 3 ° C), wine cooling room (about 8 ° C) Have been.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the refrigeration cycle. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigeration cycle includes a condenser 25, capillary tubes 26a and 26b, in addition to the refrigeration cooler 15, the refrigeration cooler 20, and the compressor 24. in this case,
The refrigerating cooler 15, the refrigerating cooler 20, the compressor 24, the condenser 25, and the capillary tubes 26a and 26b are connected via a refrigerant flow pipe 27 as a fluid flow path. A refrigerant flow pipe 28 serving as a bypass flow path is provided in parallel with the capillary tube 26a and the refrigerator 15 in the refrigerant flow pipe 27. An electromagnetic three-way valve 29 as a flow path switching means is provided at a branch portion of the refrigerant flow pipes 27 and 28.

The electromagnetic three-way valve 29 supplies the refrigerant to a first refrigerant flow path (indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 3) through both the refrigeration cooler 15 and the refrigeration cooler 20, or to the refrigeration cooler 2
The switching is performed such that one of the second refrigerant flow paths (indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 3) through only 0 is selectively passed. In the following description, a state in which the three-way valve 29 is switched so that the refrigerant passes through the first refrigerant flow path is referred to as a refrigerator compartment cooling mode (R cooling mode), and a state in which the refrigerant passes through the second refrigerant flow path. The state in which the three-way valve 29 is switched is referred to as a freezing compartment cooling mode (F cooling mode).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electric configuration of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment by combining functional blocks. In FIG. 4, a control circuit 30 as a control means is composed of an electronic circuit mainly composed of a microcomputer, and stores a program for controlling the operation of the entire refrigerator and various set values.

An input section of the control circuit 30 is connected to a refrigerator temperature sensor 31, a freezer temperature sensor 32, and a setting switch 33. Further, the output section of the control circuit 30 is connected to inverter circuits 34 to 36, a drive circuit 37, and a display section 38. The inverter circuit 3
The compressor 24, the refrigerating fan motor 39, and the refrigerating fan motor 40 are connected to 4 to 36, respectively. The refrigeration fan motor 39 and the refrigeration fan motor 40 are respectively connected to the refrigeration circulation fan 16.
And drives the circulating fan 21 for freezing. The drive circuit 37 is connected to the three-way valve 29.

The setting switch 33 is used to set the target temperature zone of the refrigerating room 3 and the freezing room 6 in addition to the setting of the setting temperature of the specification switching room 5 described above. In this case, the control circuit 30 includes the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6.
3 types ("strong", "medium", "weak")
Is set and stored. Specifically, the initial value of the target temperature zone corresponding to “strong” in the freezing room 6 is −28.
The initial value of the target temperature zone corresponding to “medium” is -24 to −16 ° C. (target temperature: −20 ° C. (target temperature: −24 ° C.)).
(−20 ° C.), the initial value of the target temperature zone corresponding to “weak” is −20 to −12 ° C. (target temperature: −16 ° C.). On the other hand, the initial value of the target temperature zone corresponding to “high” in the refrigerator compartment 3 is −1.3 to 2.7 ° C. (target temperature: 0.5 ° C.), and “medium”.
The initial value of the target temperature zone corresponding to is −0.3 to 3.7 ° C.
(Target temperature: 1.5 ° C.), the initial value of the target temperature zone corresponding to “weak” is 1.7 to 5.7 ° C. (Target temperature: 3.5 ° C.)
It is.

The control circuit 30 operates in accordance with a control program stored in advance based on the detection signals of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 31 and the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 and the target temperature zones of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6. The compressor 24, the refrigeration fan motor 39, and the refrigeration fan motor 40 are controlled via the inverter circuits 34 to 36, and the three-way valve 29 is controlled via a drive circuit 37. At this time, the control circuit 30 controls the compressor 24 based on the difference between the detection signals of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 31 and the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 and the upper limit values of the target temperature zones of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6. The number of revolutions is controlled.

When the three-way valve 29 is switched to the F cooling mode, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 24 and liquefied by the condenser 25 is supplied only to the refrigerating cooler 20 via the capillary tube 26b, and It is returned to the compressor 24 after being evaporated in the cooling device 20. In this state, the refrigerating circulation fan 21 is operated, and the air cooled by the refrigerating cooler 20 by the blowing action of the fan 21 is supplied to the ice making chamber as shown by an arrow C in FIG. After flowing through the specification switching room 5 and the freezing room 6, it is returned to the freezing cooler room 19 through the suction port 22. As a result, the ice making room, the specification switching room 5, the freezing room 6
The inside cooling operation is performed.

Further, when the three-way valve 29 is switched to the R cooling mode, the refrigerant flows into the capillary tube 26.
These are sequentially supplied to the refrigeration cooler 15 and the freezing cooler 20 via a and 26b. At this time, the refrigerant mainly evaporates in the refrigeration cooler 15, and a relatively small amount of the refrigerant that could not be evaporated here evaporates in the refrigeration cooler 20, and thereafter is returned to the compressor 24. In this state, the refrigerating circulating fan 16 is operated, and by the blowing action of the fan 16, the cool air from the refrigeration cooler 15 flows to the cool air duct 18 as shown by an arrow D in FIG. The air is sent from the outlet 18 a to the entire inside of the refrigerator compartment 3. Then, the cool air blown into the refrigerator compartment 3 from the cool air duct 18 is blown to the vegetable room 4 through the communication port 12, and thereafter,
It is returned from the suction port 17 to the refrigerator compartment 14 for refrigeration. As a result, the cooling operation in the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 4 is performed.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described focusing on the part of the control of the control circuit 30 relating to the present invention. First, a normal cooling operation by the control circuit 30 will be described. First, the control circuit 30 sets target temperature zones of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment as initial settings. At this time, the upper limit of the target temperature zone is set as the ON temperature, and the lower limit is set as the OFF temperature. Here, it is assumed that the “medium” target temperature zone is set in both the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6.

The control circuit 30 determines the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6 based on the detected temperatures of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 31 and the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 and the ON and OFF temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6. The thermal load is determined and the compressor 24,
It controls the number of rotations of the refrigeration fan motor 39 and the refrigeration fan motor 40 and controls the drive of the three-way valve 29.
As a result, the flow rate and the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the refrigeration cooler 15 and the refrigeration cooler 20 are controlled so as to correspond to the thermal loads of the refrigeration compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 6.

At this time, the control circuit 30 controls the opening and closing of the three-way valve 29 so as to alternately switch between the R cooling mode and the F cooling mode. Switching of the three-way valve 29 is basically performed during the execution of the R-cooling mode.
1 is performed when the off-temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is detected and when the off-temperature of the freezer compartment 6 is detected during the execution of the F cooling mode. However, if the ON temperature is detected in another room before the OFF temperature of the own room is detected during the operation of each cooling mode, the three-way valve 29 is switched after a predetermined cooling time has elapsed. In this embodiment, the cooling time in the R cooling mode is 20 minutes,
The cooling time in the F cooling mode is set to 30 minutes.

By the above-described alternate cooling, the indoor temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6 changes up and down between the ON temperature and the OFF temperature, respectively, and the average indoor temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6 is set. The target temperatures (1.5 ° C. and −20 ° C.) are maintained.

For such a normal operation, the control circuit 3
At 0, interrupt processing is performed at predetermined time intervals, for example, at one minute intervals, and the overload determination control of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6 shown in FIG. 1 is executed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control circuit 30
Constitute overload determination means. That is, first, step S1
Then, it is determined whether or not the freezing compartment 6 is in an overload state. This is determined based on whether or not the temperature detected by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 is higher than a predetermined determination value of −10 ° C. If it is determined that the temperature detected by freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 is higher than −10 ° C. and freezer compartment 6 is in an overloaded state (YES in S1), step S1 is performed.
Move to 2.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 has been changed by adding 2 ° C., which is the upper limit of change, to the initial value. And refrigeration room 3
If the change of the ON temperature of the refrigeration compartment 3 is not changed by adding 2 ° C. to the initial value (NO in S2), the process shifts to step S3, and the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is shifted by + 0.1 ° C. If the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 has already been added by 2 ° C. (YES in S2), the process proceeds to the next step.

On the other hand, if the detected temperature of the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 is not higher than -10.degree.
(NO at 1), and proceeds to step S4. Step S4
Then, it is determined whether or not the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 has been changed from the initial value. If the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 has been changed (YES in S4), step S is executed.
At 5, the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is shifted by -0.1 ° C. If the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 has not been changed, the process proceeds to the next step.

When the overload determination control for the freezer compartment 6 is completed, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether or not the refrigerating compartment 3 is in an overload condition. This is determined based on whether or not the detected temperature of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 31 is higher than a predetermined determination value of 12 ° C. When the temperature detected by the refrigerator temperature sensor 31 is higher than 12 ° C. (Y in S6)
ES), the process proceeds to step S7 to determine whether or not the change value of the on-temperature of the freezer compartment 6 to the initial value is 2 ° C., in other words, the on-temperature of the freezer compartment 6 is changed to the change upper limit value. Is determined. If the ON temperature of freezer compartment 6 has not been changed to the change upper limit value (NO in S7), the process proceeds to step S8, and the ON temperature of freezer compartment 6 is shifted by + 0.1 ° C.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the temperature detected by the refrigerator temperature sensor 31 is 12 ° C. or less (S6).
NO), the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the on-temperature of the freezing room 6 has been changed from the initial value. If the on-temperature of freezing compartment 6 has been changed (YES in S9), step S1 is executed.
At 0, the on-temperature of the freezer 6 is shifted by -0.1 ° C.

When the overload determination control is completed, the control circuit 30 controls the normal operation. At this time, if the ON temperature has been changed, the normal operation control is performed based on the changed ON temperature.

For example, the frequency of use of the freezing room 6 becomes extremely high due to frequent loading and unloading of foods into and out of the freezing room 6, and the room temperature of the freezing room 6 rapidly rises to exceed -10 ° C. In this case, it is determined that the vehicle is in an overload state. In such an overload state of the freezing room 6, even if the operation in the F cooling mode is performed for a predetermined cooling time, the freezing room 6 cannot be sufficiently cooled to lower the room temperature to the off temperature. Therefore, the switching from the F cooling mode to the R cooling mode is performed based on the fact that the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 31 detects the ON temperature after the elapse of the cooling time in the F cooling mode.

At this time, in this embodiment, the freezing room 6
Since the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 has been changed to a value higher than the initial value based on the determination that the refrigerator is in the overload state, the operation in the F cooling mode is performed after the cooling time has elapsed. This is performed based on the fact that the sensor 31 detects the changed ON temperature. As a result, the timing of switching from the F cooling mode to the R cooling mode is delayed, and accordingly, the temperature of the freezing compartment 6 can be significantly reduced during the operation in the F cooling mode.

Further, as the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is changed to a value higher than the initial value, the average temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 3 becomes higher than the target temperature. However, since the OFF temperature is not changed, the room average temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 does not exceed the upper limit of the target temperature zone. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the maximum change value of the ON temperature is set to 2 ° C., the average room temperature can be suppressed to a level higher by 1 to 2 ° C. than the target temperature.

On the other hand, as a result of the normal operation based on the changed ON temperature, the temperature of the freezing compartment 6 is lowered to -10 ° C.
When the temperature falls below, the ON temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 after the change is gradually returned to the initial value. As a result, control is performed such that the average temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 gradually approaches the target temperature and finally maintains the target temperature.

Although not described in detail, the same control as the above-described overload determination control of the freezing compartment 6 is performed even when it is determined that the refrigerating compartment 3 is overloaded. I have.

According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, when one of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6 is in an overloaded state, the on-temperature of the other is changed to be higher, and the cooling mode of the one side is changed from the cooling mode on one side. Since the timing of switching to the other cooling mode is made later than before, the room temperature of one of the overloaded rooms can be quickly lowered to approach the target temperature.

Further, the ON temperature of each chamber is changed so as to increase by 0.1 ° C. every time an overload is determined, that is, every minute. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the difference between the ON temperature and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor in each room is suddenly reduced and the compressor 24 is decelerated more than necessary.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and the points different from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, when it is determined that one of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6 is in an overload state, the cooling time of the other cooling mode is shortened.

That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the temperature detected by the freezing room temperature sensor 32 is higher than -10 ° C. in step T1, it is determined that the freezing room 6 is in an overloaded state ( If (YES at T1), control proceeds to step T2. In step T2, it is determined whether the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 has been reduced by 5 minutes, which is the change upper limit, from the initial value, that is, whether the cooling time has been reduced to 15 minutes. The cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 is 15
If not reduced to minutes (NO at T2), the process shifts to step T3 to shift the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 by -30 seconds. If the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 has already been reduced to 15 minutes (YES at T2), the process proceeds to the next step.

On the other hand, if the detected temperature of the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 is lower than or equal to -10.degree.
NO), the process proceeds to step T4. In step T4, it is determined whether the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 has been shortened from the initial value. If the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 has been shortened (YES in T4), step T5
Shifts the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 by +30 seconds. If the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 has not been changed,
Move on to the next.

When the overload determination control for the freezer compartment 6 is completed, the process shifts to step T6 to determine whether or not the refrigerating compartment 3 is in an overload condition. If the temperature detected by the refrigerator temperature sensor 31 is higher than 12 ° C. and it is determined that the refrigerator room 3 is in an overload state (YE at T6).
S), and proceed to step T7. In Step T7, the cooling time of the freezer compartment 6 is the upper limit value that is changed with respect to the initial value.
It is determined whether the minutes have been reduced, ie, whether the cooling time has been reduced to 25 minutes. If the cooling time of the freezing room 6 has not been changed up to 25 minutes (NO in T7), the process proceeds to step T8, where the cooling time of the freezing room 6 is shifted by -30 seconds, and then an overload determination is made. The control ends. If the cooling time of the freezing compartment 6 has already been reduced to 25 minutes (YES at T2), the overload determination control is terminated as it is.

On the other hand, if the detected temperature of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 31 is equal to or lower than 12 ° C. in step T6 (NO in T6), the process proceeds to step T9. In step T9,
It is determined whether or not the cooling time of the freezing room 6 has been shortened from the initial value. If the cooling time of the freezing compartment 6 has been shortened (YES at T9), the cooling time of the freezing compartment 6 is shifted by +30 seconds in step T10, and the overload determination control ends. If the cooling time of the freezing compartment 6 has not been changed, the overload determination control is terminated.

After the above overload determination control, the control circuit 30
The normal operation control is executed at. At this time, when the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 3 or the freezing compartment 6 has been changed, the normal operation control is executed based on the changed cooling time.

In the second embodiment having such a configuration, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, when it is determined that one of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6 is in an overload state, the cooling time of the other is reduced. Therefore, one cooling time in the overload state can be lengthened by the shortened cooling time, so that one room temperature can be rapidly lowered.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and the points different from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The third embodiment is different from the third embodiment in a method for determining whether or not an overload state is present. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
It is determined whether or not the average value of the detected temperatures is 5 ° C. higher than the target temperature. In this case, the control circuit 30 reads the temperature detected by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 every predetermined short time, and
It is stored in a memory (storage means) such as an AM or an EEPROM.

The control circuit 30 operates the freezer compartment temperature sensor 3 stored in the memory for a predetermined time, for example, every hour.
2 is read out, and when the average temperature is 5 ° C. higher than the set target temperature, it is determined that the freezing compartment 6 is in an overload state. Therefore, when the target temperature zone is set to, for example, “strong” for the freezer compartment 6, the target temperature is −24 ° C., so that the average value of the detected temperatures of the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32 is −19 ° C. If it is larger, it is determined that the vehicle is in an overload state. Steps P2 to P5 are the same as steps S2 to S5 shown in the first embodiment.

Further, whether or not the freezing compartment 3 is in an overload condition is determined by the average value of the temperatures detected by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 31 by 5 ° C. from the set target temperature, as shown in step P6. It is performed based on whether it is large. Again,
The control circuit 30 reads the temperature detected by the refrigeration room ° C sensor 31 every predetermined short time, stores it in a memory,
The detected temperature stored in the memory is read every time to calculate an average temperature. Therefore, for example, when the target temperature zone is set to “strong” for the refrigerator compartment 3, for example, the target temperature is 0.5 ° C., and the average value of the detected temperatures of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 31 is 5.5. If it is higher than ℃, it is determined that an overload condition exists. Steps P7 to P10 are the same as steps S7 to S10 shown in the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. In the first embodiment, the overload determination is performed based on the detection value of the temperature sensor in each room for each short time. For this reason, there is an effect that the response to the overload condition is prompt. On the other hand, for example, when the doors 7 and 10 of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6 are opened and closed for taking in and out of food, the temperature sensors 31 and 32 of each compartment may detect a high temperature. Such a phenomenon is temporary. Therefore, if the overload determination is performed based on the detection values of the temperature sensors 31 and 32 of each room for each short time, the determination may be erroneous. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the overload determination is performed based on the average value of the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 31 and 32 in each room every hour, so that the overload determination is accurately performed. be able to.

In this embodiment, the overload determination temperature is made different for each of the target temperature zones set for the refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 6, so that the overload determination can be performed accurately. FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The first
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in the embodiment. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the refrigeration cycle. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerator cooler 15, the compressor 24, the condenser 25,
The capillary tube 26a is connected to a refrigerant flow pipe 41.
Connected through. Further, the capillary tube 26b and the refrigerator 20 are provided in parallel with the capillary tube 26a and the refrigerator 15 by a refrigerant flow pipe 42. An accumulator 43 and a check valve 44 are provided on the discharge side of the refrigerating cooler 20 in the refrigerant flow pipe 42. An electromagnetic three-way valve is provided at a branch portion of the refrigerant flow pipes 41 and 42.

According to the above configuration, when the R-cooling mode is executed, the outlet of the solenoid valve 29 is switched to the first refrigerant flow path A through which the refrigerant flows only through the capillary tube 26a to only the refrigerator cooler 15. Can be In this state, the refrigeration circulation fan 16 is operated. When the F-cooling mode is executed, the outlet of the solenoid valve 29 is switched to the second refrigerant flow path B for allowing the refrigerant to flow only to the refrigerating cooler 20 via the capillary tube 26b. In this state, the refrigeration circulation fan 21 is operated. In such a configuration, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, the following changes and extensions are possible. Also in the first and second embodiments, the overload state may be determined based on the average value of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

The flow path switching means is not limited to the electromagnetic three-way valve, but may be an electric three-way valve. Also, an electromagnetic valve may be provided in each of the first and second refrigerant flow paths, and the refrigerant flow paths may be switched by controlling the operations of these two electromagnetic valves.

[0059]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, when it is determined that one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment is in an overloaded state, the other is changed to a higher ON temperature. By changing the cooling time of the other side to be shorter, the period for cooling one side in an overloaded state is set to be longer than before, so that the room temperature on one side is reduced earlier. Thus, the target temperature can be brought close to the target temperature, and the overload state can be quickly eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing control contents of overload determination.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a refrigerator main body.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration by combining functional blocks;

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 3 is a refrigerator room, 6 is a freezer room, 15
Is a refrigerator cooler, 20 is a refrigerator cooler, 24 is a compressor, 29 is an electromagnetic three-way valve (flow path switching means), 30 is a control circuit (control means, overload determination means), 31 is a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor. , 32 indicate a freezer compartment temperature sensor, A indicates a first refrigerant flow path, and B indicates a second refrigerant flow path.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator for cooling a refrigerator compartment, a refrigerator for cooling a refrigerator compartment, a refrigerator temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the refrigerator compartment, and a temperature of the refrigerator compartment for detecting the temperature of the refrigerator compartment. A first refrigerant flow path for mainly supplying the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and liquefied by the condenser to the refrigeration cooler, and a second refrigerant flow path for mainly supplying the refrigeration cooler to the refrigeration cooler Flow path switching means for switching between a temperature of the refrigerator compartment, a refrigeration on temperature set higher than the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment, and a refrigeration on temperature set higher than the target temperature of the freezer compartment. After a predetermined refrigeration cooling time has elapsed after the sensor detects the refrigeration ON temperature, the first refrigerant is controlled by controlling the operation of the flow path switching means when the freezing compartment temperature sensor detects the refrigeration ON temperature. Second from the channel
When the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor detects the refrigeration ON temperature after a predetermined freezing / cooling time has elapsed since the freezing compartment temperature sensor detects the refrigeration ON temperature. Control means for controlling the operation of the means to switch from the second refrigerant flow path to the first refrigerant flow path; and overload determination means for determining whether or not the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are in an overloaded state. The control means, when it is determined by the overload determination means that one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is in an overload state, to change the other ON temperature higher, Refrigerator. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the ON temperature at a rate of change of 1 K / min or less. 3. A refrigerator for cooling a refrigerator, a refrigerator for cooling a refrigerator, a temperature sensor for the refrigerator for detecting a temperature of the refrigerator, and a temperature of the refrigerator. A first refrigerant flow path for supplying the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and liquefied by the condenser mainly to the refrigeration cooler, and a second refrigerant flow for supplying the refrigerant mainly to the refrigeration cooler Flow path switching means for switching between a refrigerant flow path, a refrigeration ON temperature set higher than a target temperature of the refrigerator compartment, and a refrigeration ON temperature set higher than a target temperature of the freezer compartment; After a predetermined refrigeration cooling time has elapsed since the room temperature sensor detected the refrigeration ON temperature, the operation of the flow path switching unit is controlled when the freezing room temperature sensor detects the refrigeration ON temperature. Is it the refrigerant channel 1 The second
When the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor detects the refrigeration ON temperature after a predetermined freezing / cooling time has elapsed since the freezing compartment temperature sensor detects the refrigeration ON temperature. Control means for controlling the operation of the means to switch from the second refrigerant flow path to the first refrigerant flow path; and overload determination means for determining whether or not the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are in an overloaded state. The control means, if it is determined by the overload determination means that one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is in an overload state, the cooling time of the other is changed to a shorter time Refrigerator. 4. The overload judging means judges that it is in an overload state when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor for the refrigerator or the temperature sensor for the freezer exceeds a predetermined judgment value. 4. The refrigerator according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The overload determination means according to claim 1, wherein said overload determination means determines that the vehicle is in an overload state when an average value detected by the temperature sensor for the refrigerator compartment exceeds a predetermined determination value. A refrigerator according to any of the above.